Zach's in the Hospital

[zach]

Jre, two meds I will never again put in my body. Ambian, and Sustiva. Just not gonna happen man.

[zach]

In my family, the last generation pretty much fell apart. Me, and a number of my cousins were raised by our granny. Meds always had to be the worst tasting shit. She'd hold our nose and mouth shrieking, take your medicine, swallow it SWALLOW IT. Oh man, is it mythyolate? Worse than betadine and iodine. She'd grab us with her claws. Amazingly strong for 70 some. Start dabbling fire on us while we danced in a circle screaming murder. The rest of us watching in horror of being next. We'd hide our cuts, walk around oozing infected pus rather than face her.

This place is club med compared to her

[Jeff G]

My mom decided to wash my mouth out with soap once for calling a neighbor a sunny beach, I was far to young to properly cuss people out at that time .

I puked right down her cleavage and she did the same in the toilet within seconds and she never did it again... plus my dad got pissed saying she could have poisoned me . 

[zach]

Granny had the mouth of a sailor. Never had mine washed out. She did switch me once though, still ashamed of that. She cried.

[Jeff G]

Granny had the mouth of a sailor. Never had mine washed out. She did switch me once though, still ashamed of that. She cried.

My granny only cussed on Friday afternoon watching wrastlen on tv ... spelled like she said it .   

[Miss Philicia]

I think I only heard Gran Gran cuss one time, when she pulled a lemon meringue pie out of the oven and it flipped over onto the floor. She was a good Christian lady.

[Theyer]

Never ever heard either my Father or Gran swear . My Father also never laid as much off a finger on me.

Now Mummy dearest had somewhat differant parenting techniques , rarely physically violent off herself but one learned to watch out for low flying objects and in a certain mood having one,s hair brushed resulted in mild to moderate concussion .

 All illness would be gone by lunchtime , temperatures where the result off not sitting still or would go after a good stiff walk, ditto headaches , swellings showed the body was working and looking after the bones where the swelling was . I miss them all to the point off physical pain at times.

[J.R.E.]

  Meds always had to be the worst tasting shit. She'd hold our nose and mouth shrieking, take your medicine, swallow it SWALLOW IT.

   When I was about 10 years of age ( Or 52 years ago )  The ritual in our house, was the three times a week of having to swallow a tablespoon of Casor oil . My father would line all five of us kids up and give us our tablespoon of castor oil. UUgghhhh,..! 

Come to think of it,  we always had a lot of gas ! 


Then my father got into the vitamin kick, ( selling and distributing) with a product that I remember being called " Nutri- Bio" This was some sort of vitamin packs that he would once again line us up to take once a twice a week, also when I was about 9 - 11 years of age .


Ray

[Theyer]

Jre, two meds I will never again put in my body. Ambian, and Sustiva. Just not gonna happen man.

Sustavia ---the Devil little Joke .

[zach]

I want a beer, a joint, a couple codone pills, and a burning hot bath

[Jeff G]

I want a beer, a joint, a couple codone pills, and a burning hot bath

They wont give you something for pain ?

[zach]

Oh I'm talking purely recreational relaxation at home where I can sleep it off in peace and bliss

[Jeff G]

I disapprove of using opiates for relaxation unless you are willing to share .     

[Theyer]

Oh I'm talking purely recreational relaxation at home where I can sleep it off in peace and bliss

With a bit off planning all off that can be achieved during a Hospital stay , cut out the beer and that s more or less describes 75% off my time in hos .  Being on lock down in isolation ward does not help , though that will not be forever and those ugly giant drinking cups office workers glue there hands to can hide a cold beer , the dobey can be enjoyed during your night time walk which you have to do because
a ] its Part off your preventing constipation routine ,walking.
b ] if you have osteophorsis you need to walk as much as pos. the research states.
c ] You cannot balance in a shower
d ] You follow a strict meditation routine to aid sleep and a hot bath is crucial.

[zach]

Weird thing a bout this floor. Keep in mind it's all respiratory isolation. There is an enclosed balcony, for patients only. For smoking. Stunning view to the north though, all the city and stone mountain on the horizon

[zach]

Test today was a pituitary hormone stress response test.

[Ann]

Was going to post there just to mess with Ann.

You'll have to try much harder than that, mister, to win a coveted spanking off me!

I disapprove of using opiates for relaxation unless you are willing to share .     

I second that emotion!

Test today was a pituitary hormone stress response test.

On first reading I was sure you had a poultry hormone stress test! Finger lickin' good! Joking aside, what's that supposed to reveal? ... never mind, I just remembered you're currently keyboard-challenged. I'll go fetch google.......

Do all the patients on your floor have a Friday night disco party on that private balcony of yours?

[zach]

You'll have to try much harder than that, mister, to win a coveted spanking off me!

I'll show you! I couldn't feel it anyway, have lost most sensation from t7 down.  That won't do at all, still miles of trail to walk

Colonoscopy Monday, can't wait, never had a camera up unrest.

[buginme2]

It really sounds like the hospital you are in is quite thorough.  Glad to hear your doing better and a plan seems to be coming together. 

I'll smoke a J in your honor tonight

[tednlou2]

Weird thing a bout this floor. Keep in mind it's all respiratory isolation. There is an enclosed balcony, for patients only. For smoking. Stunning view to the north though, all the city and stone mountain on the horizon

They still have smoking places for patients?  I thought those were long gone.  I've climbed Stone Mountain a few times-- never took the tram.  I'm sure I would be huffin' and puffin' and throwing up today. 

[zach]

They still have smoking places for patients?  I thought those were long gone.  I've climbed Stone Mountain a few times-- never took the tram.  I'm sure I would be huffin' and puffin' and throwing up today.

Yeah, there's a guy that is dying, sits out there smoking one after another. Gotta feel bad for that level of addiction

[Piscean]

They want me to cathederize myself 3 times a day at home. I'm not sure about all that.

I would insist on a having a studly visting nurse stop by to handle that task 

Seriously, I have been following this thread and am impressed and inspired by the candor, humor and grace you have shared in dealing with your current health challenges. Please keep fighting the good fight.

[ds4146]

Be well and know that many of us view and don't post often, bad I know but so it goes! I do look for your upbeat progression daily and send best thoughts always!

[zach]

As of this morning, I am on ARVs

[Ann]

As of this morning, I am on ARVs

Great news Zach! I'm really happy for you. Which ones?

[zach]

Tru, prez, nor, and isen

[Ann]

Tru, prez, nor, and isen

LOL yes of course you told us that already. Please pardon my brainfart.

[skeebo1969]

   Glad to hear they have you on ARV's now Zach.  I hope this is a start to a full recovery.

[bocker3]

As of this morning, I am on ARVs

Woo Hoo.....  great news indeed!!

Mike

Please pardon my brainfart.

That damned Truvada............   

[Theyer]

That is very good news indeed.
Had my first gym outing yesterday , Zach, in 10 years at least. Finally got dressed at 6pm this evening , I am pleased that they have started the meds.

[eric48]

Tru, prez, nor, and isen

Good Luck ! Eric

[J.R.E.]

As of this morning, I am on ARVs

I am so glad to hear this !   Great news !


Ray

[Ann]

That damned Truvada............   

Thankfully my brainfarts don't smell like burning tires.



'cuz burning brain cells smell like cotton-candy.

[intaglio]

Tru, prez, nor, and isen

Oh, goody, I get to be the 'Debby Downer' here. 

I started out on Truvada, Prezista and Norvir. They worked great.

The Truvada eventually drove my creatinine levels too high and I had to be switched to Epzicom.

Truvada gave me loose stools 3-4 times a week. I combated it by taking probiotics. Once I switched to Epzicom, the problem went away.

I had pcp pneumonia when I was diagnosed. I was given Bactrim. It drove my metal salt levels downward to a dangerous level. It took three weeks to do this, though.

More good news: Truvada, Norvir and Prezista all have copay assistance programs. So if you have to pay out-of-pocket for any of these, get yourself registered with them. Using copay assistance saves me about $250/mo. on my scripts.

As for your dad, I wonder if he's suffering some sort of PTSD due to events in his past. Due to your description of the disposition of your relatives, I have to wonder if he's just wanting to avoid them. Only your dad knows for sure.

Maybe when you get home, you could invest in a couple deadbolts for your rooms. Just sayin'.

[mikeyb39]

Zack, we are taking the same drugs.  I think you will be happy with them.  I haven't had any substantial side effects thus far.

[mecch]

Yeah, there's a guy that is dying, sits out there smoking one after another. Gotta feel bad for that level of addiction

Getting lung cancer from an addiction is a feel bad situation. But I don't feel bad when people who are gonna die, keep on doing whats killing them. I mean whats the point of stopping at that point?
Smoking is terrible for the health but I am in the minority opinion that its also a pleasure psychologically and probably chemically. 
Cornell Professor Richard Klein wrote a great book about it years ago:  Cigarettes are Sublime and he quit smoking while writing it...
http://www.amazon.com/Cigarettes-Are-Sublime-Richard-Klein/dp/0822316412


“Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times.”
― Mark Twain

[mecch]

Do you know how long your stay in hospital will last?

[zach]

Soft exit date, Tuesday, waiting on one last test result, if good I fly

Colonoscopy Monday, I have  to drink an actual gallon of some vile concoction.

21 pills this morning, by far a personal best

[Miss Philicia]

I have  to drink an actual gallon of some vile concoction.

It makes you shit your brains out for 18 hours. Enjoy!

[zach]

Oh that's lovely

[mitch777]

Oh that's lovely

The good news is that that is the worst part about the whole thing. I'm due for another one myself. 

Glad to read you finally are on meds! Hope Tuesday is brings you a ticket home.

[Theyer]

Soft exit date, Tuesday, waiting on one last test result, if good I fly

Colonoscopy Monday, I have  to drink an actual gallon of some vile concoction.

21 pills this morning, by far a personal best

I imagine your going to need recovery time from the colonoscopy, Tuesday sounds very sudden , though can fully understand your want to be free off Hospital living . And according to Miss P you will need time to locate your brain , I hope you can remember what I often forgot Zach , rest is important .

So how many Pills can you take in one go?
Hard core ill talk.
Wishing you the best off everything
t

[zach]

I'm about half a step away from open rebellion here

[britchick]

Zach,

Great to hear that you are on ARV's.Good luck with the coloscopy and yep, Im hoping you get the go ahead to go home soon, when you are ready.

Its fantastic news!

britchickxx

[buginme2]

Do you have your follow up care set up?  Did that ever get squared away?

[Theyer]

I'm about half a step away from open rebellion here

Time to be home,
Good luck holding it in.
My Doctor reckons anybody with shall we say an independent spirit is driven mad by hospital . at least that's what he told me after I confessed to some incredibly over the top bad behaviour that I felt at the time totally justified in. Cannot even remember what it was now , still live and learn .

[zach]

They seriously want me to drink a gallon of this sea water. And that's exactly what the fuck it tastes like

I just gave the poor Dr girl that's on duty a major earful

[Theyer]

IT happen,s if you have the ability to say sorry in my experience it goes a long way and trust me I have had some sorry,s to say . Take care Zach you will soon be home
All the best
m

[wolfter]

Can't they perform that test as an outpatient?  I'm almost certain that I've gone home immediately after each of mine. 

Also, I hope Ann chimes in soon to correct my next comment as I can't recall the exact answer.  One of your meds (unless it was Isentress I'm thinking of) has a potential reaction with Versed which is a very typical drug that is used for sedation.
On my way home after the procedure, I suddenly had horrid pain.  I only learned about the interaction after the fact.

You also can't trust the professionals will automatically recognize the potential interaction.  I now insist that the drug not be used.

best of luck
greg

[thunter34]

My mother just had that done as an outpatient, the sea water and the whole bit.  You shit your guts out the day before.  It leaves you looped after the colonoscopy, and they insist that you have someone stay there with you during the procedure and to drive you home.

They would not accept a taxi as a viable means of departure transportation.

I imagine that having a lack of proper transport plays into doing it as inpatient.

Well...that and the fact that mom wasn't playing Lazarus.